Memo to self: Take the batteries out of a mouse you’re not using

I’ve been using trackpads almost exclusively with my computers, and had not touched either mouse in a while.

I went to change the batteries in the one on my home office desk and discovered they had leaked. I hadn’t used the mouse in my backpack in a while, either, and checked that one. It, too, had been damaged – in fact, it was so corroded I had to pry the battery door open with a screwdriver.

Despite cleaning the contacts, neither mouse works. They’re toast.

The moral of this story, kids: If you’re not going to be using your electronics for a while, remove the batteries.